Begonia plant named `Mary-Ann`

ABSTRACT

A distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named `Mary-Ann`, characterized by its attractive bright yellow fully double flowers that are about 5.5 cm in diameter; resistance to powdery mildew under commercial greenhouse conditions; and excellent postproduction longevity.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Begoniaplant, botanically known as Begonia×hiemalis, commercially known asElatior Begonia, known in Europe under the name `Mariette`, and referredto by the cultivar name `Mary-Ann`.

The new cultivar was discovered by the inventor in a controlledenvironment in Amstelveen, The Netherlands, in August, 1995, as amutation of the nonpatented Elatior Begonia cultivar `Annebell`. The newcultivar was observed as a single plant in a group of 13-cm floweringplants of the parent cultivar. The selection of this plant was based onits more intense yellow flower color and more fully double flower form.A detailed comparison of plants of the new Begonia and the cultivarAnnebell appears in Chart A at the end of the specification.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by terminal cuttings taken in acontrolled environment in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands, has shown that theunique features of this new Begonia are stable and reproduced true totype in successive generations.

The cultivar `Mary-Ann` has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, daylength and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of `Mary-Ann`. These characteristics incombination distinguish `Mary-Ann` as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Attractive bright yellow fully double flowers that are about 5.5 cmin diameter.

2. Resistance to powdery mildew under commercial greenhouse conditions.

3. Excellent postproduction longevity.

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the overall appearanceof the new cultivar, showing the colors as true as it is reasonablypossible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. The photographcomprises a top perspective view of a typical flowering plant of`Mary-Ann`. Flower and foliage colors in the photographs may differ fromthe actual colors due to light reflectance.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe plants grown in Aalsmeer, The Netherlands,that were flowered in November under commercial practice in aglass-covered greenhouse. Average day temperatures were 20° C. andaverage night temperatures were 18° C. Assimilation lights provided amaximum light level of 18,000 lux. Measurements and numerical valuesrepresent averages for six typical flowering plants.

Botanical classification: Begonia×hiemalis cultivar `Mary-Ann`.

Commercial classification: Elatior Begonia.

Parentage: Naturally-occurring mutation of Begonia×hiemalis cultivar`Annebell`.

Propagation:

Type.--Terminal cuttings.

Time to rooting.--About 14 days with soil temperatures of 23° C.

Rooting habit.--Fine, fibrous and well-branched.

Plant description:

Plant form.--Upright and rounded potted plant, freely branching withgood stem and stem base strength. Flowers are fully double and abundant.Plants flower continuously.

Growth habit.--Moderate growth rate and moderately vigorous. Suitablefor 10 to 15-cm containers. Under optimal environmental and culturalconditions, usually 10 weeks are required to produce proportional 13-cmpotted plants from terminal cuttings. Vegetative shoots are formed atbasal nodes and flowering shoots are formed at upper nodes.

Plant height.--About 30 cm.

Plant width.--About 25 cm.

Leaves.--Arrangement: Simple, alternate. Size: Length: About 16 cm.Width: About 12 cm. Shape: Asymmetrically cordate. Apex: Acute. Base:Cordate, overlapping. Margin: Doubly serrate. Texture: Smooth, shiny,leathery. Color: Young foliage: Upper surface: 147A. Lower surface:138B. Mature foliage: Upper surface: 147A. Lower surface: 138B.Venation: Upper surface: Light green. Lower surface: 138B.

Flower description:

Flowering habit.--Fully double flowers arranged in racemes. Many racemesin flower simultaneously. Flowering continuous.

Natural flowering season.--Plants will flower year around regardless ofdaylength, however plants will flower earlier and more abundantly ifdaylength is 12 hours or less. Usually plants start flowering after 7weeks of start of short day/long night treatments.

Flowers.--Shape: Rounded, cupped. Diameter: About 5.5 cm.

Tepals.--Arrangement: Rosette. Shape: Flat, rounded with entire margin.Quantity per flower: Usually about 18 per flower. Color: When opening:3C. Fully opened: Upper surface: 7A to 5A. Lower surface: 5D. Texture:Smooth, velvety, glabrous.

Sepals.--Arrangement: Two, opposite. Shape: Oval. Color: 144B.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: None. Pistils: None.

Postproduction longevity:

Individual flowers.--Generally 2 to 3 weeks.

Whole plants.--About 6 weeks under interior conditions.

Disease resistance: Plants of the cultivar `Mary-Ann` are resistant topowdery mildew under greenhouse conditions.

Seed production: Seed production has not been observed as reproductiveorgans are not formed.

    ______________________________________                                        CHART A                                                                       CHARACTERISTIC `MARY-ANN`   `ANNEBELL`                                        ______________________________________                                        FLOWER FORM    Double       Semi-double                                       NUMBER OF TEPALS                                                                             About 18 per flower                                                                        About 8 per flower                                TEPAL COLOR,   3C           4D                                                WHEN OPENING                                                                  TEPAL COLOR,   7A to 5A     4A                                                FULLY OPENED, UPPER                                                           SURFACE                                                                       TEPAL COLOR,   5D           4C                                                FULLY OPENED, LOWER                                                           SURFACE                                                                       ______________________________________                                    

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Begonia plant named`Mary-Ann`, as illustrated and described.